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Chemical Composition and Evaluation of Nicotine, Tobacco Alkaloids, pH, and Selected Flavors in E-Cigarette Cartridges and Refill Solutions.
Nicotine Tob Res. 2015 Oct; 17(10):1270-8.NT

Abstract

INTRODUCTION

Electronic cigarette (e-cigarette) use is increasing dramatically in developed countries, but little is known about these rapidly evolving products. This study analyzed and evaluated the chemical composition including nicotine, tobacco alkaloids, pH, and flavors in 36 e-liquids brands from 4 manufacturers.

METHODS

We determined the concentrations of nicotine, alkaloids, and select flavors and measured pH in solutions used in e-cigarettes. E-cigarette products were chosen based upon favorable consumer approval ratings from online review websites. Quantitative analyses were performed using strict quality assurance/quality control validated methods previously established by our lab for the measurement of nicotine, alkaloids, pH, and flavors.

RESULTS

Three-quarters of the products contained lower measured nicotine levels than the stated label values (6%-42% by concentration). The pH for e-liquids ranged from 5.1-9.1. Minor tobacco alkaloids were found in all samples containing nicotine, and their relative concentrations varied widely among manufacturers. A number of common flavor compounds were analyzed in all e-liquids.

CONCLUSIONS

Free nicotine levels calculated from the measurement of pH correlated with total nicotine content. The direct correlation between the total nicotine concentration and pH suggests that the alkalinity of nicotine drives the pH of e-cigarette solutions. A higher percentage of nicotine exists in the more absorbable free form as total nicotine concentration increases. A number of products contained tobacco alkaloids at concentrations that exceed U.S. pharmacopeia limits for impurities in nicotine used in pharmaceutical and food products.

Links

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Authors+Show Affiliations

Lisko JG
Tobacco and Volatiles Branch, Division of Laboratory Sciences, National Center for Environmental Health, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA jlisko@cdc.gov.
Tran H
Tobacco and Volatiles Branch, Division of Laboratory Sciences, National Center for Environmental Health, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA.
Stanfill SB
Tobacco and Volatiles Branch, Division of Laboratory Sciences, National Center for Environmental Health, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA.
Blount BC
Tobacco and Volatiles Branch, Division of Laboratory Sciences, National Center for Environmental Health, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA.
Watson CH
Tobacco and Volatiles Branch, Division of Laboratory Sciences, National Center for Environmental Health, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA.

MeSH

AlkaloidsElectronic Nicotine Delivery SystemsFlavoring AgentsHumansHydrogen-Ion ConcentrationNicotineSolutionsTobaccoUnited States

Pub Type(s)

Journal Article
Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.

Language

eng

PubMed ID

25636907

Citation

Lisko, Joseph G., et al. "Chemical Composition and Evaluation of Nicotine, Tobacco Alkaloids, pH, and Selected Flavors in E-Cigarette Cartridges and Refill Solutions." Nicotine & Tobacco Research : Official Journal of the Society for Research On Nicotine and Tobacco, vol. 17, no. 10, 2015, pp. 1270-8.
Lisko JG, Tran H, Stanfill SB, et al. Chemical Composition and Evaluation of Nicotine, Tobacco Alkaloids, pH, and Selected Flavors in E-Cigarette Cartridges and Refill Solutions. Nicotine Tob Res. 2015;17(10):1270-8.
Lisko, J. G., Tran, H., Stanfill, S. B., Blount, B. C., & Watson, C. H. (2015). Chemical Composition and Evaluation of Nicotine, Tobacco Alkaloids, pH, and Selected Flavors in E-Cigarette Cartridges and Refill Solutions. Nicotine & Tobacco Research : Official Journal of the Society for Research On Nicotine and Tobacco, 17(10), 1270-8. https://doi.org/10.1093/ntr/ntu279
Lisko JG, et al. Chemical Composition and Evaluation of Nicotine, Tobacco Alkaloids, pH, and Selected Flavors in E-Cigarette Cartridges and Refill Solutions. Nicotine Tob Res. 2015;17(10):1270-8. PubMed PMID: 25636907.
* Article titles in AMA citation format should be in sentence-case
TY - JOUR T1 - Chemical Composition and Evaluation of Nicotine, Tobacco Alkaloids, pH, and Selected Flavors in E-Cigarette Cartridges and Refill Solutions. AU - Lisko,Joseph G, AU - Tran,Hang, AU - Stanfill,Stephen B, AU - Blount,Benjamin C, AU - Watson,Clifford H, Y1 - 2015/01/30/ PY - 2014/08/26/received PY - 2014/12/08/accepted PY - 2015/2/1/entrez PY - 2015/2/1/pubmed PY - 2016/5/18/medline SP - 1270 EP - 8 JF - Nicotine & tobacco research : official journal of the Society for Research on Nicotine and Tobacco JO - Nicotine Tob Res VL - 17 IS - 10 N2 - INTRODUCTION: Electronic cigarette (e-cigarette) use is increasing dramatically in developed countries, but little is known about these rapidly evolving products. This study analyzed and evaluated the chemical composition including nicotine, tobacco alkaloids, pH, and flavors in 36 e-liquids brands from 4 manufacturers. METHODS: We determined the concentrations of nicotine, alkaloids, and select flavors and measured pH in solutions used in e-cigarettes. E-cigarette products were chosen based upon favorable consumer approval ratings from online review websites. Quantitative analyses were performed using strict quality assurance/quality control validated methods previously established by our lab for the measurement of nicotine, alkaloids, pH, and flavors. RESULTS: Three-quarters of the products contained lower measured nicotine levels than the stated label values (6%-42% by concentration). The pH for e-liquids ranged from 5.1-9.1. Minor tobacco alkaloids were found in all samples containing nicotine, and their relative concentrations varied widely among manufacturers. A number of common flavor compounds were analyzed in all e-liquids. CONCLUSIONS: Free nicotine levels calculated from the measurement of pH correlated with total nicotine content. The direct correlation between the total nicotine concentration and pH suggests that the alkalinity of nicotine drives the pH of e-cigarette solutions. A higher percentage of nicotine exists in the more absorbable free form as total nicotine concentration increases. A number of products contained tobacco alkaloids at concentrations that exceed U.S. pharmacopeia limits for impurities in nicotine used in pharmaceutical and food products. SN - 1469-994X UR - https://www.unboundmedicine.com/medline/citation/25636907/Chemical_Composition_and_Evaluation_of_Nicotine_Tobacco_Alkaloids_pH_and_Selected_Flavors_in_E_Cigarette_Cartridges_and_Refill_Solutions_ DB - PRIME DP - Unbound Medicine ER -